--- title: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira lang: en alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/portugal/funchal/tours/whale-and-dolphin-watching-tour-in-madeira/ type: tour city: Funchal country: Portugal price: 74 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.93 reviews: 1299 duration_minutes: 150 languages: [pt, en, es] free_cancellation: "true" guidekin_pick: Which trip first? rank_in_category: 2 of 18 (Whale & Dolphin Watching) schedule_checked: 2026-10-03 data_updated: 2026-11-03 canonical: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/tours/whale-and-dolphin-watching-tour-in-madeira/ --- # Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira **Guidekin's take:** A motor yacht rather than a rib for the whale and dolphin search off the south west coast, with a cabin, blankets, a toilet and a shower, plus snorkel gear for a swim stop when the sea allows. Weather cancellations are refunded or moved, and sightings are never guaranteed. 4.93 from 1299 reviews at €74 per person. **Which trip first?:** Book the daytime motor yacht from Calheta: cabin and snorkel gear, 2h 30m at €74 per person, 4.93 from 1299 reviews; sightings not guaranteed. Trade-off: Swimming depends on sea conditions. (last checked September 15, 2026) In our comparison: #2 of 18 in Whale & Dolphin Watching, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Whales and Dolphins Watching Tour: Come experience the marvellous nature of the south west sea of Madeira Island on board a refined and comfortable motor yacht. Feel the happiness of being near the wild marine nature: dolphins, whales, turtles, and other amazing animals that we can find! Be there and join them while they cruise along on their journey in the open seas. Enjoy the Atlantic Ocean from a luxurious view and cruise on its waters discovering the Island by sea. ## Before you book - Meeting point: You will find the On Tales Store at the… - 4 start times: between 10:00 and 19:30 - Food included: see what is included - Children from €74: ages 3 to 12 **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €74 per person - Duration: 2h 30m - Rating: 4.93/5 from 1299 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Likely to sell out - Operator: On Tales Lda - Group: Shared tour - Guide languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish - Start times: 10:00, 13:30, 16:30, 19:30 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-03 ## Reviews 4.93 from 1299 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 99% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 1283 of 1299. - 5 stars: 1234 (95%) - 4 stars: 49 (4%) - 3 stars: 11 (1%) - 2 stars: 3 (0%) - 1 star: 2 (0%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers value the attentive crew and comfortable boats; some trips return without any whale or dolphin sightings. **Praised:** - Friendly, knowledgeable crews explain marine life and look after passengers - Comfortable boats with room to move and an uncrowded atmosphere - Dolphin and whale encounters, with swimming stops also enjoyed - Drinks and towels on board, plus photos sent after the trip - Careful approaches to wildlife and respect for the animals **Complaints:** - Some trips return without any whale or dolphin sightings - Snorkelling can feel rushed or be missed altogether Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2025-08-06 to 2026-10-03); last checked 2026-10-04. ## What's included - Bottled water - Cabin - Blankets - Snorkel equipment (masks, fins and tubes) - Toilet - Hair and body towels - Shower after swimming time - Light refreshments (water, fruit juice, soft drinks, beer) ## Not included - Transportation to/from attractions. - Snacks / food ## Itinerary 1. **On Tales** (10m) - Find our meeting point, on the marina de Calheta, 15 minutes before departure time. Reach out to us in case you need assistance.. You will find us at the end of the harbor, next to the blue building. Drive into the underground car park located right after the tennis courts.... 2. **Porto de Recreio da Calheta** (10m; admission included) - Our captain will meet you and guide you to the yacht where he will proceed to a short safety briefing. 3. **Madeira Islands** (2h) - Depart the harbor, with two professional crew members on a comfortable, spacious yacht. With a land-based spotter leading the way, cruise the coast to find and observe marine life in their natural environment, sightseeing and exploring Madeira island from a privileged point... 4. **Madeira Islands** (10m) - Cool off with a swim into the crystal-clear waters, at one of our favorite hidden gems. We select the perfect place based on the day’s sea conditions to ensure the most comfortable and calm swimming experience. Jump from the boat and explore the underwater world. We provide... 5. **Madeira Islands** (pass by, no stop) - Focus on the View, our crew will take the photos! Relax and enjoy the scenery first hand. Our sea team captures the best moments of your journey, while our land team sends the digital photos to you afterwards. 6. **Madeira Islands** (pass by, no stop) - Stay refreshed with complimentary drinks served by our attentive crew throughout the trip. ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 10:00, 13:30, 16:30, 19:30 - Schedule last checked: 2026-10-03 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point You will find the On Tales Store at the end of the Marina da Calheta, next to the blue building. Our team will greet you and guide you to our yacht. Note: Calheta is located on the South coast, approximately 40 minutes drive, West of Funchal. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJ0yhv4BJRYAwRWOkORuboqTg Ends: back at the meeting point ## Good to know - Suitable for all physical fitness levels - Confirmation will be sent before the tour or 48 hours after booking: - Subject to favorable maritime conditions (if canceled due weather conditions, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund) - Family friendly - Children must be accompanied by an adult - Subject to availability - Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed - 6/6.30 pm or 7/7.30 pm 19/19.30 departure time: Sunset, Snorkeling and Sparkling wine, NO whale watching - Guests should understand their duty to exercise reasonable care for their own safety while boarding, exiting and being on-board the yacht. Booking asks for: dates of birth ## Compared with other Whale & Dolphin Watching | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #2 of 18** | €74 | 2h 30m | 4.93 (1299) | shared | | [Whale and Dolphin Watching in Calheta, Madeira Island](/portugal/funchal/tours/whale-and-dolphin-watching-in-calheta-madeira-island/?format=md) | €60 | 2h | 4.93 (1401) | shared | | [Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Madeira](/portugal/funchal/tours/private-dolphin-and-whale-watching-tour-in-madeira/?format=md) | €524 per group | 2h 30m | 4.94 (562) | private | | [VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching](/portugal/funchal/tours/vipdolphins-luxury-whale-watching/?format=md) | €79 | 3h | 4.9 (1943) | shared | Ranked #2 of 18 in Whale & Dolphin Watching by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €35 to €109, median €52; typical length 2h 30m. 2 of 18 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/madeira-whale-watching/?format=md ## More in Funchal - All Funchal tours: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/tours/whale-and-dolphin-watching-tour-in-madeira/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/?format=md